• Stimulates the release of growth hormone which causes muscle growth and reduces body fat.• Helps with states of depression and anxiety.• Produces norepinephrine which is an appetite suppressor.• Plays an important role in the function of the adrenal, pituitary and thyroid glands.• Increases red and white blood cells.• Elevates mood.

What is it and where does it come from?

L-tyrosine is a nonessential organic amino acid that is a building block of protein. It is an organic amino acid due to the presence of a carbon atom in its makeup.

It is a precursor of the neurotransmitter dopamine, as well as a precursor to the adrenal hormones norepinephrine and epinephrine. The body can make L-tyrosine from the amino acid phenylalanine. L-tyrosine rich foods include animal meat, wheat products, oatmeal, and seafood.

What does it do and what scientific studies give evidence to support this?

L-tyrosine may help athletes avoid overtraining, due to its ability to offset fatigue. Because L-tyrosine is a precursor of Dopamine, supplementing with L-tyrosine may heighten mental alertness, increase feelings of well being, and offset physical and mental fatigue.3,4

Who needs it and what are some symptoms of deficiency?

Everyone Populations in need of L-tyrosine include athletes, the obese or overweight, and the elderly. Hard training athletes may benefit from supplementing with L-tyrosine as it helps to offset fatigue and stress associated with intense training.

L-tyrosine also serves to protect the integrity of the skin. Melanin, a substance which acts to protect the skin when the epidermis has been exposed to ultraviolet light, is derived from L-tyrosine.

If a shortage of melanin is present within the body [because of a lack of L-tyrosine], skin defenses will be compromised. Melanin, which is derived from L-tyrosine, chemically reacts with sunlight to form a protective shield that protects the deeper layers of skin tissue.

Because persons suffering from depression frequently have low blood levels of this amino-acid, it may prove beneficial for members of this population to supplement with L-Tyrosine.

Members of the obese population may benefit from supplemental L-tyrosine. L-tyrosine influences the manufacture of thyroxin, which influences basal metabolic rate. Because of this, L-tyrosine may prove effective for weight loss.

About Jenni Jacobsen

Jenni Jacobsen graduated from The Ohio State University in June 2011 with her bachelor's degree in psychology and in May 2015 with her master's degree in social work. Throughout her college career, she took English courses, worked as a freelance writer, and assisted other students in writing papers.

Jenni Jacobsen recently began pursuing a Ph.D. in psychology through Northcentral University and is becoming a subject-matter expert in the area of addiction. More about me Full Bio.